Chinese underwater drones in Indian waters

Chinese use of naval drones in Indian ocean.

In recent times reports have surfaced that chinese have a fleet of UUV or unmanned underwater vehicles scouting in Indian ocean.

As some of you must remember, when chinese oceanographic survey vessel was in Indian economic zone and Indian waters , I said that sooner or later china will send its underwater drones as Indian navy is not allowing the Chinese manned vehicles in Indian waters. Then these drones were a big talk as chinese had few years ago started multiple projects and done several test of these vehicles in their own water and South China Sea.

These drones can be a strategic asset as unlike manned ships and submarines these drones do not carry the risks of men being detained by the adversary navy which here is Indian navy. The drones are also able to operate in much more depth than manned submarines etc could and have a smaller signature than a manned surface vessel.

These can be used for oceanographic surveys, scouting, spying as well as for offensive capabilities, like Russian drone which will also have a  warhead section which it can use to perform offensive roles.

As for why the Chinese drones are a threat to Indian navy or India as whole?

The reason is we dont know the capabilities of this drone or the sensors it carries. It could be performing submarine signature recording or submarine detection operations or maybe it is doing what looks like an oceanographic survey.

The oceanographic surveys are normally done to collect info of natural resources but are  also critical for the proper operation of submarines. Submarine operation are complex and without a proper knowledge of the ocean floor geography it becomes very risky, unlike believed ocean floors are not flat and simple, there are big trenches and often under water mountains, ripples etc, these pose a threat to the submarines as submarines can collide with these. These accidents have sunk several submarines including nuclear submarines and hence surveys are done to develop under water maps for safer navigation of submarines in oceans.

Operation of these drones rings alarms for INDIAN NAVY.

-HITESH ADHIKARI